F1 pundit draws conclusions: this is where Verstappen will be racing in 2026

Mol supported his opinion by providing a number of statistics that appear to favor this team: “If you are a driver and you can choose for teams and we, the whole world, are all shouting [what you should do]. It was utter nonsense this week with all that was being shouted on the internet.”

He then added: “You can go to a team, if you look back 2.5 years, how many races has Mercedes won? Six. I'm talking from the end of 2022. Red Bull wins 49. Everyone says: 'That Mercedes engine is a top engine'.

''McLaren has won fifteen, nine of which were this year. So actually it's also six in that period. So why would you then ignore that and go to something that has not been successful at all?”, Mol asked aloud.

Driver Nicky Catsburg was also at the table and asked Mol if the number of wins didn't come because Verstappen is in the Red Bull: “The victories you mention from Red Bull, that large number. Those victories from McLaren, a smaller number. That is because Max is in that car, can't he do the same in the Mercedes?”

Mol responded assertively: “Then there must be a spot, he has a contract until 2028. He says that nothing has changed for him now that Horner is gone. He says he prefers to see out his contract, which he once signed for: ‘And whether I am 28, 35 or 37, I'll see about that then’".

There was a lot going on in recent weeks about the future of Verstappen. However, it now seems that the Dutchman will stay at Red Bull. The arrival of Mekies would create a positive atmosphere at the team and that could be one of the reasons for Verstappen to remain loyal to Red Bull.